There has been a lot of talk about the young French generation coming through. However, this does not happen overnight, and a lot can be said for the current senior players who have been paving the way for many years. One such player is doubles star, Ronan Labar.

Labar, soon to be 31 next month, has been a regular performer on the European circuit for France in both men’s and mixed doubles. Naturally, when a player reaches a certain age people start asking about retirement. Labar gives his current view on this.

- I think that we are every year a bit closer of course, but I still feel that I have some energy left to play and fight on the court. I will definitely play one more year minimum and then we will see. A high-level career can change really fast one way or another, especially in doubles when you have to deal with partners, so you have to stay open-minded.

In the men’s doubles, 2020 saw Labar playing some good matches with 2017 European junior champion, Thom Gicquel, and also France’s top singles player, Brice Leverdez. Asked if he can let the fans know what his men’s doubles will look like moving forward, he answers.

- I have no answer for this men's double question at the moment, to be honest. We have done some okay matches with Thom, but not enough wins, so he went all-in on the mixed doubles. After that, it has been a complicated time with my coaches and federation to be able to play men’s doubles again. So, for now, it was just trying to enjoy and have fun with Brice on court, but there is no long terms plan to discuss.

Priority is clear

In the mixed doubles, Labar, the 2017 European mixed doubles bronze medallist, now plays with Anne Tran. Together they are currently 42 in the world and with Tran also without a partner, could this mean they both go ‘all in’ for mixed? Labar responds by saying.

- Yes, we are both without doubles partners at the moment, but I don't know what the coaches are planning for her in doubles. But for me, the priority is clearly the mixed right now. We showed that we can play at a really good level, now it's our job to be more consistent with the results.